Census bureau seal

US Census Beginnings

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  • Constitution

    Constitution
    It is stated in the US Constitution that household surveys are to be conducted every 10 years so that taxes are distributed appropriately. source

  • First Census

    First Census
    It took 18 months for surveyors to go door to door and survey all thirteen states. Native Americans who did not pay taxes were not counted and African American Slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. source

  • First Printed Forms

    First Printed Forms
    The first US Census forms were are printed and used. source

  • More questions

    More questions
    Questions on agriculture, fishing, and mining are used. source

  • All household members counted

    All household members counted
    For the first time all free household members are asked for their names and occupations, not just the head of household. source

  • 14th Ammendment

    14th Ammendment
    The fourteenth ammendment is ratified and African Americans are counted as a whole person. source

  • More individuals are counted

    More individuals are counted
    For the first time the Native Americans and Chinese are enumerated in the survey. source

  • Machines are used

    Machines are used
    For the first time, simple machines are used to count for the US census. source